Upscale Development Planned for DeSoto

HERNANDO, Miss. - A $250 million planned-unit development that includes 64 acres for handicapped children and their families and a separate phase for upscale private homes will be presented to the DeSoto County Planning Commission next month.

The 706-acre Dunbar Hills development near Lake Cormorant includes space for the proposed $30 million to $40 million Ryan's Ranch, an upscale complex of cottages, physicians offices and other amenities for handicapped children. It will have its first full-scale presentation to the planning commission on July 30.

The Dunbar Hills development also includes two gated communities with homes priced from $275,000 to more than $1 million, said Bob Dalhoff with Dalhoff Thomas Daws, a land planning and architectural firm in Memphis, Tenn.

"It's a pretty incredible project for this area," Dalhoff said.

He said the homes planned for the development would be larger and more upscale than most existing homes in the area.

Dalhoff is representing the Abston family of Memphis, Tenn., the longtime owners of the property. He met with nearby landowners on June 13, some of whom had concerns about the mammoth size and scope of the project.

Some surrounding landowners had submitted a petition against the project before the June 13 meeting, Dalhoff said.

"About 19 residents showed up and we met for about two hours," Dalhoff said. "It seems like one of their biggest concerns was the extension of Nesbit Road through their property. Obviously, these homes are much more expensive than many homes in the area. It certainly would be good for the area."

Dalhoff said much of the rolling hills and topography would be preserved, with more than 36 acres set aside for open space.

Old farm silos on the site and more than 6 1/2 miles of riding trails would be incorporated into the overall site. All the roads in the development would have bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The Lake Cormorant campus of Ryan's Ranch would be the first such campus of its kind in the nation, Dalhoff said.

The ranch is named for Ryan Derenberger of New Orleans, a child who suffers from cerebral palsy, profound mental retardation, autism and other health and neurological disorders.

"The family has had a tremendous amount of challenges," Dalhoff said.

Dalhoff said the Ryan's ranch complex would consist of a main lodge, chapel, barn, stable and 24 duplex cottages. A country store would be located at the campus' entrance.

Nationally, playgrounds have been erected in Ryan's name and more than 300 children have been assisted by Ryan's mother, Corinne Derenberger of New Orleans.

"They get to ride horses and have fun," Dalhoff said. "It's therapy for the family and the children."

Dalhoff said Nashville is vying to be another location for a similar Ryan's Ranch.

"This will be the first one nationally," Dalhoff said.

Nearby landowners include Bill and Lynda Austin and Mat and Cindy Lipscomb.

Austin said he wanted to hear more about the project and could not attend the neighborhood meeting because he was out of town.

"It seems like to me it's a good thing," Austin said. "Any time you develop a sizable tract of land, every aspect of it is not going to meet everybody's expectations." Austin owns property across the road from the proposed Dunbar Hills development.

Mat Lipscomb, said he does not oppose the project and, in fact, is impressed by the developers' plans.

"The way I look at it, there will be development out there at some time," Lipscomb said. "Of all the things it could be, it's more on the desirable level. There will be a lot of land held out for parks. I think it's being done in a responsible way."